Pomelo Care Publishes Peer-Reviewed Data Demonstrating Significant Improvements in Cost, Quality, and Access Via Its Virtual Care Model

Data Shows Pomelo's Virtual Care Model Lowers Cost of Care, Reduces NICU Stays, Improves Timeliness of Prenatal & Postpartum Visits, and Increases Use of Preventive Treatments for Depression & Preeclampsia

NEW YORK, Sept. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Pomelo Care, the national leader in evidence-based healthcare for women and children, announced peer-reviewed outcomes data demonstrating significant improvements in cost, quality, and access through its virtual care model. The findings, presented at leading national conferences throughout 2025, establish Pomelo's approach as a proven solution for addressing the maternal health crisis while delivering significant financial returns to health plans and employers.

The research, which analyzed nationwide Pomelo patient outcomes, demonstrates that Pomelo's 24/7 virtual care model not only reduces healthcare costs but also systematically addresses longstanding disparities in maternal healthcare access and quality.

Key research findings include:

• 8.8% reduction in total cost of care with a 3.9:1 ROI for plans.
• 6.8-day reduction in NICU length of stay for preterm infants (16.3 days for complex cases).
• 538% higher aspirin therapy initiation for Black patients at risk for preeclampsia.
• 16 percentage point improvement in HEDIS timeliness of postpartum care.
• 66% of patients with moderate to severe depression experienced symptom reduction within an average of 40 days.
• 718% higher prenatal depression screening rates compared to national averages.

"This research demonstrates that virtual care, when thoughtfully designed for maternal and infant health, can close longstanding gaps in access and quality while significantly reducing costs," said Marta Bralic Kerns, founder & CEO of Pomelo Care. "Our model shows that the right combination of industry-leading technology, clinical expertise, and deep patient engagement can effectively address the maternal health crisis, improve outcomes for families, and deliver meaningful savings to health plans. These results are a testament to the tireless efforts of the entire Pomelo team, and I'm incredibly grateful for their commitment to building a care model that truly serves the needs of women and children nationwide."

At the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) Meeting in April, Pomelo shared data from a podium presentation on the impact of its virtual NICU support program for infants. The research found that preterm infants whose parents engaged with Pomelo during their NICU stay were discharged, on average, 6.8 days earlier than benchmarks from leading neonatal networks. Among infants with complex medical needs who received support from a pediatric provider, such as those born very preterm, the average reduction in length of stay was 16.3 days. These findings show the potential of virtual NICU support to increase parent readiness for discharge and reduce hospital stays for high-risk newborns.

In May, Pomelo presented new data at ISPOR, the leading professional society for health economics and outcomes research, evaluating the cost impact of its 24/7 virtual maternal-newborn care program across two health plans in the same state. The analysis found an 8.8% reduction in total cost of care and a 3.9:1 return on investment (ROI) relative to Pomelo's fees, indicating that virtual maternity care can be a cost-effective solution for health plans, including Medicaid plans, with the potential to drive meaningful savings at scale.

Pomelo also presented a retrospective study evaluating the utilization of aspirin therapy for preeclampsia prevention among patients. Among those at risk for preeclampsia, Black patients had an aspirin initiation rate of 56% — 538% higher than the rate reported for Black patients in the literature, and 12% higher than that of patients who did not identify as Black. This research makes clear the potential of virtual care to increase the use of preventive treatments aligned with clinical guidelines and to lessen disparities in care.

In June, Pomelo presented findings in a podium presentation at the Annual Research Meeting (ARM) of Academy Health, the professional organization of health service researchers, policymakers, and health care practitioners. The research highlighted how its virtual care program improves critical HEDIS quality measures for timely maternal care. The study found that Pomelo's program significantly improved the Timeliness of Postpartum Care, boosting the rate by 16 percentage points. Additionally, the program improved the Timeliness of Prenatal Care, increasing the rate by 3.9 percentage points from 80.4% to 84.3%. These results demonstrate the power of virtual care to systematically close significant gaps in care, ensuring new mothers receive essential check-ups that are vital for birth outcomes.

In July, Pomelo presented three separate studies at the Postpartum Support International (PSI) Conference that demonstrated its comprehensive and effective approach to perinatal mental health. One piece of research showed that engaging with Pomelo's virtual therapy and support is highly effective at reducing the severity of depression symptoms in nearly 70% of patients who initially screened as moderate to severe. This success is built on a foundation of best-in-class, equitable screening, which was highlighted in the other studies: Pomelo had a 100% follow-up rate for patients with a positive screen, ensuring every person is connected with the care team for support, and that Black patients participate in its screening at similar or higher rates than non-Black patients.

Last year, Pomelo released peer-reviewed data highlighting the significant impact of its virtual maternal health care model. Findings from four independent studies demonstrated that Pomelo's approach reduces total care costs, lowers NICU and ER utilization for both mothers and infants, and enhances follow-up care for depression.

About Pomelo Care

Pomelo Care is the national leader in evidence-based healthcare for women and children. We deliver personalized, high-quality care across every stage of life—from preconception and pregnancy to postpartum, infant care, pediatrics, and menopause. Our hybrid model combines 24/7 virtual clinical care with on-the-ground community support, including in-person doula services. This approach addresses the medical, behavioral, and social factors that most significantly impact outcomes for women and children. Leveraging data science, research, and new technologies, Pomelo identifies and manages risks early to drive better health outcomes and avoid unnecessary costs. We partner with commercial and Medicaid health plans, employers, and providers to expand access to care and deliver measurable results across the healthcare system. Learn more at pomelocare.com.

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Julie Halpin
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SOURCE Pomelo Care